Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has warned Jack Grealish he can't afford another poor season with the Premier League champions.
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Grealish struggled for Man City in 2023-24Left out of England squad for Euro 2024Hoping to bounce back after Guardiola warningWHAT HAPPENED?
Grealish has been able to enjoy a summer away from the spotlight after being left out of England's Euro 2024 squad following an underwhelming campaign with Manchester City. The winger's Three Lions snub has led Grealish to resist a boozy summer holiday and instead focus on training hard in a bid to regain his best form, according to . Grealish was also motivated after being sent a warning by Guardiola at the end of the season. The winger was told by his boss that City "cannot afford to carry passengers" in the 2024-25 campaign and the season he had just endured "cannot happen again".
Advertisement@jackgrealish/Getty/GoalTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Grealish has been happy to share his fitness journey over the summer on social media. The 28-year-old has looked in peak physical condition on his return to pre-season training with Manchester City after sharing footage of sessions in facilities owned byowned by Serie A giants Juventus. That is a stark contrast to last summer, when Grealish was regularly pictured partying after Man City's treble success.
City are currently gearing up for another big season where they will compete in an expanded Club World Cup and Champions League. This could also be Guardiola's final season at the club, with the manager having already admitted he is "closer to leaving than staying" at City.
WHAT GUARDIOLA HAS SAID
Guardiola has already backed Grealish to return to his best form in the 2024-25 campaign. He told reporters in May: "He will be back. He’s struggled this season and Jeremy has made an incredible step forward as everyone has seen in the last games. But Jack will be back at the level of last season, I'm pretty sure."
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MAN CITY
Grealish now has pre-season to try and win his place in Guardiola's starting XI back. The Cityzens are currently in the United States for fixtures against AC Milan, Barcelona and Chelsea.